Temperance, often understood as self-control or moderation, is a virtue highly esteemed in the Christian faith. It is considered a fruit of the Spirit and is essential for living a life that honors God. The Bible provides numerous references that highlight the importance of temperance in the life of a believer.

Galatians 5:22-23 · "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." In this passage, self-control is listed as a fruit of the Spirit, indicating that it is a result of living in accordance with the Holy Spirit. Temperance is thus a divine quality that believers are encouraged to cultivate.

1 Corinthians 9:25 · "Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable." The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of an athlete to illustrate the necessity of self-discipline in the Christian life. Just as athletes exercise temperance to achieve a temporal reward, Christians are called to practice self-control for an eternal reward.

2 Peter 1:5-6 · "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness." Here, self-control is part of a progression of virtues that believers are encouraged to develop. It is a foundational quality that supports perseverance and godliness.

Proverbs 25:28 · "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." This proverb underscores the vulnerability and chaos that result from a lack of temperance. Just as a city without walls is defenseless, a person without self-control is susceptible to various temptations and sins.

Titus 2:11-12 · "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age." The grace of God teaches believers to live with temperance, rejecting worldly desires and embracing a life of righteousness and self-control.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 · "So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation." This passage calls for vigilance and sobriety, emphasizing the need for temperance as part of spiritual readiness and protection.

1 Peter 4:7 · "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray." Temperance is linked to spiritual alertness and effective prayer. A clear and disciplined mind is essential for maintaining a strong connection with God, especially in times of spiritual urgency.

These scriptures collectively highlight the significance of temperance as a vital component of Christian character. It is both a gift from the Holy Spirit and a discipline to be actively pursued by believers, enabling them to live lives that reflect the holiness and righteousness of God.Esther 1:7,8
And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
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Proverbs 23:1-3
When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you:
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Proverbs 25:16
Have you found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for you, lest you be filled therewith, and vomit it.
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Daniel 1:8,12-16
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
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Romans 13:14
But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
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1 Corinthians 9:25,27
And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
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Philippians 4:5
Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
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1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
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1 Timothy 3:2,3,8
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
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Titus 1:7,8
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
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Titus 2:2,3,12
That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
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2 Peter 1:5,6
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
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General Index.
... Advent message, proclamation of, timely, 351-354. general proclamation of, 355-374. ...
Temperance work and the Sunday movement, 587. ... see also Bible; Scriptures. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /general index.htm

Concerning the Ministry.
... love, long-suffering, goodness, and temperance of Christianity ... as in the proposition
concerning the Scriptures is shown ... that not only in a general apostacy it ...
/.../proposition x concerning the ministry.htm

The Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... died not only for men in general, but also ... are not prescribed in the Scriptures,
and are ... True Christian fasting consists in temperance, abstinence, watchfulness ...
/.../ 55 the second helvetic.htm

Concerning Lowliness of Mind.
... But even if thou shouldest mention temperance, even if ... to correct those who use the
Scriptures without reference ... Gibbon, using this is the general sense, has ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/concerning lowliness of mind.htm

Messiah's Easy Yoke
... The general name of Christians, which was first ... virtue, the fitness of things,
temperance, benevolence, and ... commentary on what the Scriptures teach, concerning ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xv messiahs easy yoke.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1828 to the Beginning ...
... of life for altering the sacred Scriptures in this ... already the friends and advocates
of temperance, having, as ... church communion by one of our general rules, it ...
/.../chapter 10 from the close.htm

Of Passages from the Holy Scriptures, and from the Apocrypha ...
... which is delivered in the Scriptures, and which ... it to have been a general Council,
though ... example of chastity, kindness, pity, temperance, patience, moderation ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/of passages from the holy.htm

An Account of the Several Annual Conferences, and of the General ...
... a deep-rooted prejudice against the General Conference and ... however, "mighty in the
Scriptures," "full of ... goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" " thus giving ...
/.../chapter 3 an account of 2.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1812 to the Death of ...
... He gave an example of sobriety, temperance, and industry to ... called upon him to translate
the general rules of ... Question What is your mind concerning John Wesley ...
/.../chapter 2 from the close.htm

The First Delegated General Conference of 1812
... by reading a portion of the Holy Scriptures and prayer ... "The Address of the General
Conference to ... gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance;' in all ...
/.../chapter 1 the first delegated.htm

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is self-control? | GotQuestions.org

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Temperance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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